Pondicherry is a is a Union Territory of India formed out of four enclaves of former French India and named for the largest, Pondicherry. It is regarded as one of the most popular tourist destination in South India.
Pondicherry has four main beaches which are very popular with tourists and locals alike.They are Promenade beach, Paradise beach, Serinity beach and Auroville beach. Promenade beach is the most popular beach with several landmarks along the sea front and within walking distance to the city.
Pondicherry was founded by the French in 1693 and built during the two and a half centuries that they occupied it. The French left behind a legacy of elegant seafront villas with ornamental gardens, and a delightful Hotel de Ville, more reminiscent of the south of France than southern India.
Things to See & Do
* Promenade beach
* Sri Aurobindo Ashram
* Pondicherry Museum
* Botanical Garden
* Hindu Temples, churches & mosques
General Information
Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Indian Rupee (INR)
Language – Hindi, English
Population – 1,244,464 approx
Land Area – 492 km²
Electricity – 2 round pins European style or with a round pin below
Time – GMT plus five and a half hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 91
Travel Links - Pondicherry is connected to Chennai by an electric broad gauge railway line through Villupuram. There are 2 passenger trains running daily to Chennai Egmore Railway station and Tirupati and there is a weekly express train service to Bhubaneswar. In addition to this, there is also a daily express train to Chennai Egmore.